Awala-Yalimapo
French Guiana · 3 m
Description
Awala-Yalimapo is a Kalina village at the mouth of the Maroni whose beach at Les Hattes is one of the most important leatherback nesting sites in the world, with thousands of turtles hauling out between April and July. They come at night and the tracks in the morning are as wide as a car. The commune is administered by the Kalina themselves and the amerindian year is marked in the village. Behind the beach the Amana reserve protects mangrove, savanna and the river mouth. The Amana reserve was created in 1998 and covers close to fifteen thousand hectares of coast and savanna.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 1 to 3 days (optimal 2 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: April – July
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Leatherback nesting at Les Hattes (April - July)
- Plage des Hattes
- Réserve naturelle de l'Amana
- Kalina village life and the carbets
- Hatchlings running to the sea (July)
- Mouth of the Maroni at sunset
- Kalina basketry and pottery
- Birds of the mangrove and savanna
- Coconut groves behind the beach
Getting there
- Nearest airports:
- LDX